Ticket Resellers have Upended Live Music. California Must Restore Power for Artists and Fans
In the ever-evolving world of live entertainment, being able to attend or put on a concert is a cherished privilege for fans and artists alike. Unfortunately, the ticketing ecosystem in California is riddled with issues like bots, deceptive websites, and speculative ticketing.
Industrialized, third-party resellers have upended the live entertainment ecosystem. In California, the live music and entertainment industry have a total economic impact of $12.3 billion, generating over 83,456 jobs and $675 million in total state and local tax revenues. Yet bad actors repeatedly take money out of the hands of fans – as well as the artists and venues that make concerts happen.
No one cares more about music fans and creating a great live experience than artists, says Jordan Bromley, a board member for the Music Artists Coalition. Lawmakers in California need to protect these relationships and communities they create and take action to stop harmful resale practices.
One of the most critical reforms would enshrine the right for artists to control ticket resale. In practice, this means allowing artists to have a say on the terms of ticket resale – like engaging in fan-to-fan face-value exchanges without the interference of bots or scalpers looking to inflate ticket prices.
Resellers often criticize the notion of an artist’s right to control ticket sales or resales by arguing that it eliminates ‘fan freedom,’ explains Bromley. But reseller pricing practices undermine the very essence of the ticket-buying experience.
A recent study by the National Independent Talent Organization found that ticket resellers earned an average cumulative profit of $41,000 per show by charging an average of two times the original ticket price. The study also discovered that in states where artists cannot control resale, fans paid an average of 396% above face value.
Furthermore, resellers deploy harmful tactics like deploying deceptive websites that trick concertgoers into paying more than they need to. The practice of speculative ticketing, where resellers list tickets that they do not actually have at exorbitant prices, allows them to use a fan’s money to fund bots to try to fulfill the order.
To combat these issues, California should follow the lead of other states, like Nevada, and ban speculative ticketing while improving the overall ticket-buying experience. State Sen. Anna Caballero has shown support for the artist community by introducing Senate Bill 785, which would enshrine artist rights and ban the deceptive practice of speculative ticketing.
California fans deserve price protection, says Bromley. With artists more empowered, we can foster an environment where genuine fans enjoy live events without the risk of falling victim to exploitative resale practices.
The proposed legislation would help shift the balance of power back to artists and fans away from industrial resellers. By protecting consumers and artists through safe ticketing measures, lawmakers in California can create an environment that prioritizes fair pricing and a positive concert experience.
In conclusion, the ticketing industry in California requires urgent reform. The prevalence of bots, deceptive websites, and speculative ticketing has caused harm to both artists and fans. By enshrining the rights of artists to control ticket resale, banning deceptive practices like speculative ticketing, and improving the overall ticket-buying experience, California lawmakers can restore power for artists and fans and protect the live entertainment ecosystem for years to come.
